The words today from 2 John are so direct and speak to my heart (see 2 John below) that I needed to read it again and again.

This is something I cannot do on my own, by myself. In fact, as the years go on, it seems to me (and to many Anabaptists, including Mennonites, Amish and others) the spiritual life brought to us by Jesus, was brought to us, and not ‘me’. Spiritual life, and a life of love, are something we grow within, and it grows around us. It does not happen the same way if I sit in my solitary room and pray (although this too is good).

But as 2 John 6 says ‘6And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment just as you have heard it from the beginning—you must walk in it.’

Pray today for your (our) community of Christ, and for your family. Pray for peace.

brother Bill

Peace Mennonite Church keeps a prayer list for those in need. If you need prayer, or want to e-mail our pastor, e-mail billd @ peacemennonitechurch.net (Take out the extra spaces to use this e-mail—the spaces confuse spam generators).

Pray with us!

We are praying as a church, and attempting to follow the centuries’ old tradition of praying with other Christians three times a day. We are following the prayer liturgy at www.commonprayer.net

Copyright 2011. All rights reserved. Peace Mennonite Church of Columbia, MO Permission is granted for one-time non-commercial use with proper attribution.

1Praise the Lord! Praise God in his sanctuary; praise him in his mighty firmament!

2Praise him for his mighty deeds; praise him according to his surpassing greatness!

3Praise him with trumpet sound; praise him with lute and harp!

4Praise him with tambourine and dance; praise him with strings and pipe!

5Praise him with clanging cymbals; praise him with loud clashing cymbals!

6Let everything that breathes praise the Lord! Praise the Lord!

Hosea 5:15—6:6

15I will return again to my place until they acknowledge their guilt and seek my face. In their distress they will beg my favor:

6“Come, let us return to the Lord; for it is he who has torn, and he will heal us; he has struck down, and he will bind us up. 2After two days he will revive us; on the third day he will raise us up, that we may live before him. 3Let us know, let us press on to know the Lord; his appearing is as sure as the dawn; he will come to us like the showers, like the spring rains that water the earth.”

4What shall I do with you, O Ephraim? What shall I do with you, O Judah? Your love is like a morning cloud, like the dew that goes away early. 5Therefore I have hewn them by the prophets, I have killed them by the words of my mouth, and my judgment goes forth as the light. 6For I desire steadfast love and not sacrifice, the knowledge of God rather than burnt offerings.

2 John 1-6

1The elder to the elect lady and her children, whom I love in the truth, and not only I but also all who know the truth, 2because of the truth that abides in us and will be with us forever: 3Grace, mercy, and peace will be with us from God the Father and from Jesus Christ, the Father’s Son, in truth and love. 4I was overjoyed to find some of your children walking in the truth, just as we have been commanded by the Father.

5But now, dear lady, I ask you, not as though I were writing you a new commandment, but one we have had from the beginning, let us love one another. 6And this is love, that we walk according to his commandments; this is the commandment just as you have heard it from the beginning—you must walk in it.